Story
Justice in Real Life: Eric
Earning too much for help, too little to get ahead.
Yale, VA
Eric Guerrero has needed new glasses for a couple of years now. He has insurance, but with a $300 out-of-pocket cost, it’s still more than he can afford as a working father.
Like many others, Eric isn’t eligible for public assistance and doesn’t receive any help. Every month is a balancing act: gas for the car, food for the family, and whatever else comes up.
“If we can just hang on until prices go down, it will get better,” he said, holding on to hope in a time when so many families are barely getting by.
Virginia Poverty Law Center works to close that gap—through legal advocacy, policy reform, and public education that aims to make cost-of-living realities impossible to ignore.
Families like Eric’s shouldn’t have to wait for prices to drop in order to see clearly again.
Eric’s story highlights the growing number of Virginians caught in the gap—earning too much to qualify for aid, yet not enough to stay afloat.
Justice in Real Life is a photography and storytelling campaign launched by VPLC in 2025. It shares real stories from Virginians facing poverty and injustice, highlighting their struggles and the changes we’re advocating for. Want to tell your story? Contact VPLC Communications Director Connie Stevens, connie@vplc.org.
